Revive SAARC, Pursue Peace for India’s Future: Farooq Abdullah

SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday called for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modito take bold initiatives for peace with Pakistan, arguing that India’s global stature depends on reconciliation in the neighbourhood.

Speaking at the launch of journalist Shahid Siddiqui’s memoir as per The Economic Times , he said “I Witness India from Nehru to Narendra Modi”, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister cited examples of global diplomacy, including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s talks with former US President Donald Trump and subsequent meetings with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to stress the importance of dialogue even among adversaries.

“Time has come when even our Prime Minister has to take such steps that India can walk with the world for peace. Time has come to restart SAARC. We must take strong steps from our side and find the path to peace — for the peace of the whole world,”Abdullah said, as reported by The Hindu.

Established in 1985, SAARC has remained dormant, with its last summit held in 2014, largely due to tensions between India and Pakistan. Abdullah acknowledged the challenges but insisted that “hard steps”were necessary to safeguard India’s future.

Reflecting on the 1947 Partition, Abdullah said it sowed hatred between Hindus and Muslims, which continues to divide the nation. He contrasted India’s struggles with China’s rise, remarking: “Look at China — once behind us, today ahead in every field. Why? Because they speak with one voice. This tragedy must change.”

He further argued that India should aspire to global leadership not through military or economic might, but through “the power of humanity”, invoking Mahatma Gandhi as a guiding light.

“This is not a world of threats. Gandhi is the light that shines upon the whole world,” Abdullah concluded, urging the Modi government to embrace reconciliation as a national responsibility.

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah left for Delhi on Wednesday, the same day when Home Ministry tabled three key bills in the Parliament.